Photographer captures Norfolk's year of lockdown

There seemed to be something of a 'phony war' about the first weeks of the pandemic in Norfolk, he writes here:

There were a few people, like Puppet Man wearing masks when they were out and about, and it seemed more of a novelty than anything else. I don't think anyone, least of all the government knew how the situation was going to play out or whether they could compel the population to observe the lockdown.

King's Lynn-based freelance photographer Si Barber, whose candid images have captured a year of lockdown in Norfolk (Image: Chris Bishop)

It wasn't until shops began to limit the amount of people allowed to enter and places like laundrettes where neighbours had gathered to chat were declared off-limits for anything other than their designated purpose did it feel that the regulations restricting normal life were having an effect.

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The government's response to the virus was to initiate the most significant exercise in modifying the nation's public and private behaviour in living memory, and whatever happened subsequently it would be an event that would remain in the collective consciousness for many years after it faded from the headlines.

Facemasks and one-way systems became common place outdoors, like at Sheringham market. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

I wondered if future generations might regard the pandemic with the nostalgic glow which often accompanies momentous events recalled by those who weren't compelled to live through them or perhaps they would know more of the painful realities as the nation tried to rebuild itself?

In the early stages of the lockdown everything looked much as it had always done but as it wore on those commonplace and everyday aspects of our world began to unravel, intruding into the consciousness. Billboard posters on Massingham Rd in Norwich, unchanged for months, were now weather-beaten and torn at by the wind. A signifier that life as we knew it had stalled.

As the first Lockdown wore on billboard posters, having remained unchanged for several months began to deteriorate and became symbolic of a country at a standstill. Few people left homes except for exercise, like this couple in Norwich. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

Even the pubs which 400 years earlier Oliver Cromwell had failed to close were compelled to shut their doors after they were deemed 'non essential'. Some like the Live & Let Live in King's Lynn kept up with customs and traditions for which they had become known and continued celebrating St George's Day.

Despite being closed as a 'non essential business' Oli Haynes of the Live and Let Live, pubs King’s Lynn, Norfolk, keeps up tradition and makes the final touches to their St George’s Day decorations. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

Not everyone was on board though and some resisted the 'stay at home' message, but they said it was just a three-week lockdown and summer was on its way.

Hunstanton in August 2020 looked very much like any other year, apart from the occasional intrusion of social distancing signs. Despite its cancellation and a warning from the police a number of visitors went to Sheringham on what would have been the town's 1940s day dressed like their grandparents.

Despite the easing of restrictions Sheringham's 1940s weekend, usually in September was cancelled upon advice of the police. Undeterred many people's spirits were cheered when WW2 pinup girl Bettie Hayward paid an impromtu visit. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

By the time the second lockdown was announced in late October 2020 autumn was well under way and any novelty in the situation had been replaced by a grim determination. In Wisbech the shops that had gone out of business had become the preserve of the young who used their precincts for skateboarding and parkour. In King's Lynn the only shops open were the discount stores and lone shoppers could be silhouetted against the afternoon sun as they walked down the High St.

Sometime between December 2020 and January 2021 lockdown 2 became lockdown 3. It didn't seem to be an event that anyone thought was particularly memorable. The days were short and cold and seemed very much the same. People were regularly wearing masks outside now, although the risk of transmission was said to be low.

In October 2020 a second Lockdown was announced after a rise in infections and deaths. Sue's News in Swaffham announced the grim news to Shoppers. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

Back in King's Lynn the 817th Mart which would have started on February 14 was cancelled, but the cold weather that it usually brought with it still came, whipping a freezing wind along Broad St on a Saturday afternoon.

On February 22, the news that lockdown would be gradually lifted was welcomed in North Walsham by Colin Page Confectioner and Tobacconist. Mr Page, who had remained open throughout the pandemic and had been delivering supplies to his customers, expected a gradual return to normal trade levels, rather than a stampede, but as he remarked “no one can know what the future will bring”.

Pandemic warning sign on London Rd, King's Lynn during Lockdown 3, February 2021 (Image: © Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

The easing of Lockdown in July also saw the return of Arminghall's car boot and classic car show. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

During the first Lockdown between March and May 2020 all of the play and exercise equipment was forbidden to use, but the temptation to practise some parkour moves was too great for some to resist. (Image: ©Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)

Mr Colin Page, confectioner and tobacconist of CD Page in North Walsham, Norfolk. (Image: © Si Barber. Moral rights asserted.)